Unique Student Teaching Placements

Distant Student Teaching Placements at Mansfield University

Student teaching is a very important part of a teacher’s training. Mansfield University recognizes the importance of supporting students through quality supervision during this critical learning phase. The University’s distant student teaching placements are rich, diverse educational learning sites. However, due to the distance between the University and these settings, supervision is hindered and University support limited. As a result, any student interested in student teaching in a distant setting, i.e. a placement that is outside of the University supervision guidelines (Australia, Arizona, and Philadelphia) must receive special permission from the Student Teaching Advisory Council (STAC). STAC will review student applications in an effort to ensure that each candidate chosen for distant placement is a strong teacher candidate and will be successful without the usual University supervision. In addition, STAC is look for individuals who are mature, have had travel experience, can adapt and excel in a diverse setting, and are willing to embrace the financial and additional time commitments a unique placement will demand. Please note that acceptance is not guaranteed. Even after STAC has approved a candidate for a distant student teaching placement, the candidate must successfully complete the first, local student teaching assignment and maintain all gates, University requirements, including dispositions. In other words, acceptance into a distant student teaching placement is an on-going review.

The Process for Distant Student Teaching Approval:

1. Download application form and contact The Educational Field Experience Office (Retan 205, 570-662-4024) to express interest in applying. Turn in paperwork (as noted on the application – a narrative and 2 recommendations from education faculty, including Observation and Participation professor) to Retan 205 no later than 6-8 months before student teaching. (Students interested in an overseas placement will need at least 8 months for this process to be successfully completed).
2. After receiving written requirements, STAC will meet and discuss each student’s application and then set up an interview with each student. At this time, STAC will make the decision to approve the candidate.
3. Once the candidate is approved, the candidate will contact The Educational Field Experience Office to begin the process. The following options are available:
   1. Overseas Placements – students desiring an experience of this nature (for the second placement) will work directly with The Foundation for International Education. Mansfield University does not make these placements and has little input in overseas relationships. Students will pay additional fees to the Foundation for its service. Students should pick up a Foundation booklet in The Educational Field Experience Office and be sure they are willing to meet the Foundation’s requirements (contract) if interested in overseas placements. (Booklet)
   2. Arizona – Students will spend the second half of the semester on an Indian Reservation at Window Rock Unified School District in Fort Defiance, Arizona. Additional costs in this placement are as follows: the cost of transportation to and from Arizona (driving is recommended as a vehicle will be needed while in Arizona) as well as living expenses while there. The school district will provide housing for students; however, students will be expected to pay rent. Costs are generally what they would be locally.
   3. Alaska – Students will spend the second half of the semester at The Lake and Peninsula School District whose district office is based in King Salmon, Alaska. Additional costs in this placement are as follows: the cost of flying to Anchorage (and home) as well as food. This placement is extremely rural, so students will need to have food ordered and then flown into their placement. The school district will assume the costs associated with flying from Anchorage to the actual school site, and the district will also cover each student teacher’s housing during the placement. Specific details are available in The Educational Field Experience Office. (Booklet)
   4. Philadelphia – Students will spend half of the semester teaching in the city of Philadelphia. Mansfield University does not make these placements, but it works with the city’s identified contact person. This individual places all student teachers, from any university, in the city. Interested students will need to find and fund their own housing for this placement. Music education students interested in student teaching in Philadelphia should see Dr. Sheryl Monkelien instead of completing this process. It is recommended that anyone seeking to student teach in the city of Philadelphia should first take the Urban Seminar course offered each May. Please see Dr. Jannis Floyd concerning this unique experience, jfloyd@mansfield.edu

Requirements for Student Teaching in a Lycoming / Sullivan School District

School districts are constantly faced with liability concerns. As a result, more school districts are screening potential student teachers before allowing them into their buildings to student teach. If a student teacher has been assigned to a school district within the Lycoming Sullivan Counties, then each student must meet the requirements of that district. Please review the material below to ensure that access into the schools is allowed.

School districts in the Lycoming Sullivan jurisdiction. East Lycoming School District; Jersey Shore Area School District; Loyalsock Township Area School District; Montgomery Area School District; Montoursville Area School District; Muncy School District; South Williamsport Area School District; Williamsport Area School District.

1. Requirements for each district (interview, portfolio, etc.)
   
2. Portfolio Requirements

Unique Student Teaching Placements

• Alaska
• Australia
• Application Process
• Portfolio Requirements

Contact Us

Educational Field Experiences
205  Retan Center
Mansfield University
Mansfield, PA 16933

Mrs. Christina Fry, Coordinator
Phone: (570) 662-4576

Beth McClure, Admin. Assist.
Phone: (570) 662-4024
Fax: (570) 662-4335